You look around the room and notice someone looking at you. You meet his eyes and instantly look away. Why is he looking at you? What does it mean? Could he like you? And most importantly of all Ė what if you don't like him THAT way?

Boy Trouble

While there are tons of magazines and even books on dealing with boys that you are already dating, there isn't much out there about boys who you don't really want to date. It seems like there is much more that can be confusing and stressful before dating than after. I'm not saying the anticipation and excitement of crushes is not fun, but it can be really messy, too.

In a perfect world, you like him and he likes you. You flirt a little, you talk a little, you text a little. Eventually you start hanging around each other and claim to be boyfriend and girlfriend. This is all well and good. What happens though, when it doesn't work out in such a neat little mold?

Far from Perfect

He likes you, you like some other guy. He's really nice, and you don't want to hurt his feelings, so what do you do? Or, you like a boy a little bit, but not enough to want to be his girlfriend. You like having him around, and don't want to lose his company. Do you have to go out with him?

The answer to this, of course, is NO! You can make it all the way through school and never go out with anyone. That is perfectly okay and even more normal than you may think. You can simply be friends, maybe even best friends, with guys. Believe it or not, most boys have interesting things to say and think having friends who is girls are pretty neat.

The Guy Friend

The guy friend can be more complicated than a friendship with a girl. People might assume you are together when you really are not, and future boyfriends of yours (or girlfriends of his) might feel like they have to compete with you. Anyone with a guy friend can tell you it can be sticky, but it's well worth it. Besides, the longer you hang out, the more everyone knows the truth about your friendship.

Boys tend to be a bit blunter than girls. They don't play games and they don't stab each other in the back (usually.) They don't ask you hard questions about how their pants fit. Usually, they just tell jokes, talk about normal stuff, and hang out the same way most girls do.

Want a Guy Friend?

If you've got a boy that you want to get to know better, the best thing to do is be honest. Tell him that you aren't really interested in romance if he is. You might also let him know that you would rather be good friends than have to deal with the drama of a breakup and anything your parents might dish out. Any decent guy will respect that.

If a guy doesn't seem interested in romance, but you just think he's funny or nice, that doesn't mean you have to start planning your wedding. You don't want to marry all your funny girlfriends do you? Just start hanging out with his group of friends or partner up in class for a project. Treat him the same way you would treat your girlfriends. Tell a joke, laugh, and be friendly. Pretty soon, you'll know him as well as you know your best friend, and that kind of friendship is well worth any effort.

Posted On: February 24, 2007I have quite a few guy friends and ill tell ya...THEY ROCK!!! I would never stop being friends with any of them! I have friends that are girls, but most of them are goth, so I kind of am consitered "goth" but only because I hang out with those kind of people, but I dont care! being goth is better than being a "PREP" because you can be a total weirdo and not be looked at funny because of it!! Because gothes are supposidly supposte to be weird!!...but over all I luv this artical! all this information is 100000% correct!!

Posted On: February 20, 2007Mmm, great article. As for the guys as just friends, I'm surrounded it those. I can't handle the way girls get, all pathetic about their hair, makeup and clothing, about boys and each other's lives. I love it how guys just muck around. You can be yourself, not some perfect freak who spends her morning worrying about her hair and makeup and whatever the heck else.

I like friends who like me for me, and it seems, I can only manage this with my male friends. I love them all, as friends only, and I'd do ANYTHING to protect them. Two of them I've been friends with since Primary, one kinder the other grade four, and the other I met in grade seven, last year, when I turned up halfway through first term. And, finally, this year. My dearest new friend.

I love 'em all.

Anyway, guys as friends. It's the best thing in the world. Guys just... they make you... I dunno. They just rock. There's no way I'd pick hanging around with a bunch of girls over my group.

Posted On: February 19, 2007i have a best friend who is a guy and he is going out with one of my other best friends. she gets mad whenever we hangout or sit next to each other. its a pretty sticky situation, but i would never stop being friends with my guy friend. guy friends rock, cuz u can be as stupid as u want.

Posted On: February 19, 2007MY NAME IS CRISTINA HERRERA. THERES THIS GUY AND I HAVE BEEN DATING HIM 4 ABOUT 5 MONTHS. I JUST MOVED TO MAINE AND NOW I HAVE TO GO BAK TO FLORIDA AGAIN AND I RLLY DON'T WANNA GO. I LOVE THIS GUY AND IT HURTS 2 KNO THAT MY MOMS PULLING US APART

Posted On: February 19, 2007I'm friends with more guys than I am with girls. I'm not a total tomboy, but I like to hang out with guys. They arn't worried about apperance i can just be myself around them I have the most amazing guy friends ever (in my own little world)

Posted On: February 18, 2007Guy friends are funner than girl friends. They don't hold grudges, which makes me happy. Also, girls tend to be more complex and secretive about things, when usually guys just say it. I think this was stated in the article (I just skimmed it over), but I just had to restate it. xD

Posted On: February 18, 2007i dont really have to worry about crushes, im getting married soon, but what ive learned is that you dont need a boyfriend in the 5th grade. actually you dont need one period. try not looking for a bf bc when you least expect it, he will find you trust me. BUT if you think that hes the one to be with, then go for it!!!

Posted On: February 18, 2007I've dated my crush 2ce this year in 7th grade. I get to sing in his band, i am the lead singer, and i still LV him. I think he likes me, and he is popular , and i am happy because i think he loves me again!